Articulated Orthotic Shoe Insert

ABSTRACT

An articulated orthotic insert including a first curved member with a tapered edge configured to fit the heel of a foot. An elongated flexible rod is attached to the first curved member at a first end of the elongated flexible rod. A second member is attached to a second end of the elongated flexible rod. The second member has an indented section that accepts the ball of a foot. There are numerous support members attached to the elongated flexible rod in a perpendicular manner. The support members are curved upwards as to support the arch of a foot. The support members are in various lengths and heights to better conform to a foot. The support members are made from a rigid material such that they support the arch of a foot when a foot is placed on the support members.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/690,465 filed on Jun. 27, 2018. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to orthotics and inserts for shoes toprovide comfort to users. More particularly, the present inventionprovides an articulated orthotic shoe insert.

Many people prefer, or are required, to wear shoes that have a form overfunction quality. This means that many shoes that are stylish or trendyare not overly comfortable. People are willing to make this sacrifice,even though the repercussions can become severe. People tend to neglecttheir feet even though they are an extremely important extremity. Shoescan be uncomfortable for a number of reasons. One of the main reasonsthat shoes can be uncomfortable is from lack of support.

One of the major reasons people purchase orthotics is due to painresulting from pes planus (otherwise known as flat feet), or secondaryconditions linked to pes planus such as plantar fasciitis, arch pain,etc. Many shoes do not contain the proper support to handle flat feet orthese other conditions. This means that individuals with flat feet donot have the adequate support that is needed to maintain healthy footposture. This can cause further issues in the foot due to the lack ofproper support. Traditional orthotics only partially correct this issueas most are not designed to conform to the pitch of high heeled shoes.To wear orthotics in heels, either a foam insert that offers littlesupport, or a hard orthotic that cannot be worn in other shoesisrequired, as it cannot accommodate multiple heel pitches. This orthoticaims to marry the two, providing the flexibility of a soft insert thatcan accommodate many heights of heels with the support of a rigid one.

Pes planus is one of the most common types of foot ailments, yet mosttypes of shoes offer little in the way of support. This is especiallytrue in high heeled shoes. This orthotic is designed to accommodatemultiple issues caused by both wearing high heeled shoes, as well assupporting the arch. The C shaped heel cup helps offload the calcaneusand relieves pressure on the insertion point of the fascii at thecalcaneus, helping to reduce heel pain associated with plantarfasciitis. The trench in the forefoot portion is for the metheads willhelp prevent forefoot pain, as it acts as an offloading device to helpdisperse weight off those joints. The arch supports help maintain ahealthy foot posture, even while the foot is in an unnatural stanceinside a heeled shoe.

There is a need for an improvement in the art of orthotics and shoeinserts. The present invention substantially diverges in design elementsfrom the known art, while at the same time solves a problem many peopleface when attempting to wear shoes that do not provide a great amount ofcomfort and stability to the wearer. In this regard, the presentinvention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an articulated orthotic shoe insertwherein, the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the userwhen wearing an uncomfortable shoe that lacks the proper support. Thearticulated orthotic shoe insert includes a first section, wherein thefirst section is configured to accept a heel of a foot. An elongatedmember is attached to the first section at one end of the elongatedmember. A second section is attached to the elongated member at a secondend, wherein the second member is configured to accept the ball of afoot. A plurality of support members is attached to the elongatedmember, wherein the plurality of support members is configured tosupport the underside of a foot.

Another object of the present invention is to have the plurality ofsupport members of varying lengths.

Another object of the present invention is to construct the plurality ofsupport members of rubber.

Another object of the present invention is to construct the plurality ofsupport members of spring steel.

Another object of the present invention is to have a plurality ofsupport members pivotably attached to the elongated member, wherein theplurality of support members is configured to support the underside of afoot.

Another object of the present invention is that the plurality of supportmembers are curved such that they push up against the bottom of a foot.

Another object of the present invention is that the first member is aC-shaped member, wherein each edge thereof tapers downwards.

Another object of the present invention is to provide indentscorresponding with a foot disposed on the second member.

Another object of the present invention is that the elongated member isa flexible rod.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and mannerin which it may be made and used, may be better understood after areview of the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are providedthroughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the articulatedorthotic shoe insert.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of an embodiment of the connections betweenthe plurality of supports and the elongated member.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the articulatedorthotic shoe insert with a foot thereon.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the articulatedorthotic shoe insert within a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the articulated orthotic shoe insert. For the purposes ofpresenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, apreferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the articulatedorthotic shoe insert. The figures are intended for representativepurposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in anyrespect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the articulated orthotic shoe insert. The articulatedorthotic shoe insert includes a heel portion 101, a middle portion 102,and a front portion 103. The heel portion 101 of the articulatedorthotic shoe insert is a semi-circular shape. The heel portion 101 isconfigured to accept a human heel, therein. The heel portion 101 iswider at an outer edge thereof, and narrows toward the middle of theheel portion 101. In one embodiment, the middle of the heel portion 101has been cut away such that a heel will rest on the shown material. Inone embodiment, the heel portion 101 is made from rubber. In anotherembodiment, the heel portion is made from foam. The heel portion 101 hasa connector that attaches to the middle portion 102.

The middle portion 102 has an elongated flexible member 104 on at leasta side of the middle portion 102. The elongated flexible member 104 isattached to the heel portion 101 by being inserted into the heel portion101. In one embodiment, the elongated flexible member 104 is a rod. Inanother embodiment, the elongated flexible member 104 is a thin bar. Inanother embodiment, the elongated flexible member 104 is foam, gel, orother suitable material.

The middle portion 102 further includes a plurality of support members105. The plurality of support members 105 are connected to the elongatedflexible member 104 in a perpendicular direction. In one embodiment, thesupport members 105 are hingedly attached to the elongated flexiblemember 104. The hinge attachment will allow the plurality of supportmembers 105 to articulate when a foot is placed thereon. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of support members are attached to theflexible rod 104. In this embodiment, the flexible rod 104 is capable oftwisting such that the plurality of support members can still bearticulated and mesh with the sole of a foot. In the illustratedembodiment, the plurality of support members 105 are curved such thatthey will push up toward a wearer's foot, providing additional support.In some embodiments, the plurality of support members 105 are “C” shapedwith the curvature pointing upwards to press against the bottom of afoot. In this design the plurality of support members 105 will bendunder the weight of the foot conforming to the foot. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of support members 105 are made from springsteel. In another embodiment, the plurality of support members 105 aremade from rigid plastic.

The elongated flexible member 104 is connected to a front portion 103.In one embodiment, the elongated flexible member 104 is connected to thefront portion 103 by being placed within a hole in the front portion 103and secured therein. In another embodiment, the elongated flexiblemember 104 is angled such that the articulated orthotic shoe insert willfit in a high heel shoe. The front portion 103 has a series of indents106 located, therein. The series of indents 106 are configured to acceptthe ball of a human foot. In one embodiment, the indents 106 aredifferent in order to better fit the ball of the foot. In thisembodiment, one indent is longer to fit the ball of the foot behind thefour smaller toes. Further, a larger circular indent is positioned nextto the first indent for the ball of the foot behind the big toe. In oneembodiment, the front portion 103 is made from foam. In anotherembodiment, the front portion 103 is made from rubber.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a close-up view of an embodimentof the connections between the plurality of support members 105 and theelongated member. In one embodiment, the plurality of support members105 have a thicker first end 201. The thicker first end 201 has a hole202 located, therein. In this embodiment, the plurality of supportmembers 105 are attached to the upper side of the thicker first end 201.The plurality of support members 105 are attached to the elongatedflexible member 104 by having the elongated flexible member 104 placedtherethrough. This will allow the plurality of support members 105 to berotatably attached to the flexible elongated member 104. This will limitthe amount of hardware needed to connect the plurality of supportmembers 105 to the flexible elongated member 104.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the articulated orthotic shoe insert with a foot thereon.When the foot is placed on the articulated orthotic show insert, theheel will fit into the heel portion 101. The ball of the foot will fitinto the front portion 103. The middle portion 102 and the plurality ofsupport members 105 will be of a proper length to fit the arch of thefoot. In one embodiment, there will be 12 supports that make up theplurality of support members 105. The plurality of support members 105will support the sole of the foot.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the articulated orthotic shoe insert within a shoe. Onceplaced in a shoe, the articulated orthotic shoe insert will fit flushagainst the heel of the shoe 401. In this way, an outer edge of the heelportion 101 will sit against the heel of the shoe 401 providing supportfor the heel. The middle portion 102 will be proportioned to fit thecorrect size of the shoe 401. The plurality of support members 105 willnot be as wide as the width of the shoe 401. This will allow theplurality of support members 105 to flex when a foot is placed into theshoe 401. The front portion will be located by the ball of the shoe 401.This will allow the foot to properly sit on the articulated orthoticshoe insert when placed inside a shoe 401.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, and,assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilledin the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) An articulated orthotic shoe insert, comprising: a firstsection, wherein the first section is configured to accept a heel of afoot; an elongated member attached to the first section at one end ofthe elongated member; a second section attached to the elongated memberat a second end, wherein the second member is configured to accept theball of a foot; a plurality of support members is attached to theelongated member, wherein the plurality of support members is configuredto support the underside of a foot. 2) The articulated orthotic shoeinsert of claim 1, wherein the plurality of support members are varyinglengths. 3) The articulated orthotic shoe insert of claim 1, wherein theplurality of support members are made from rubber. 4) The articulatedorthotic shoe insert of claim 1, wherein the plurality of supportmembers are made from spring steel. 5) The articulated orthotic shoeinsert of claim 1, wherein the second member is made from foam. 6) Thearticulated orthotic shoe insert of claim 1, wherein the first member ismade from foam. 7) A articulated orthotic shoe insert, comprising: afirst section, wherein the first section is configured to accept a heelof a foot; an elongated member attached to the first section at one endof the elongated member; a second section attached to the elongatedmember at a second end, wherein the second member is configured toaccept the ball of a foot; a plurality of support members are pivotablyattached to the elongated member, wherein the plurality of supportmembers are configured to support the underside of a foot; wherein theplurality of support members are curved such that they push up againstthe bottom of a foot. 8) The articulated orthotic shoe insert of claim7, wherein the plurality of support members are over varying lengths. 9)The articulated orthotic shoe insert of claim 7, wherein the pluralityof support members are made from rubber. 10) The articulated orthoticshoe insert of claim 7, wherein the plurality of support members aremade from spring steel. 11) The articulated orthotic shoe insert ofclaim 7, wherein the second member is made from foam. 12) Thearticulated orthotic shoe insert of claim 7, wherein the first member ismade from foam. 13) The articulated orthotic shoe insert of claim 7,wherein the first member is a C-shaped member, wherein each edge thereoftapers downwards. 14) The articulated orthotic shoe insert of claim 7,wherein the second member further comprises indents placed therein thatcorrespond with a foot. 15) The articulated orthotic shoe insert ofclaim 7, wherein the elongated member is a flexible rod.